Using Technology to Stay Up-to-Date on Government Contracting

Winning a government contract is hard work. Since you’re
dealing with the government, there are a seemingly endless number of hoops to
jump through, procedures to follow, and policies to memorize. However, there is
a ton of money in government contracting.

For small businesses in 2008, the government spent $96.8
billion in government contracting funds. The information tech company NOVA
Corp. was just recently awarded a contract through the Defense Information
Systems Agency for $19.4 million. There’s a lot of money to be made in
government contracting

Registering your IT business to bid and win government
contracts is a complicated process that can be explained here.
There are a lot of forms, self-certifying, and good old marketing that needs to
be done in order to get a piece of the government contracting pie, but it’s
well worth it.

Once you’re registered and you start to bid on government
contracts, it can be difficult to manage your bids, keep your business visible
to government agencies, and keep up-to-date on government contracting news. It’s
a lot to wrap your mind around. There are a few technologies and websites
around that can ensure that those issues are solved.

The Small Business
Administration’s (SBA’s) System for Award Management (SAM) and Dynamic Small
Business Search (DSBS) Database

When you’re initially registering to bid on government
contracts, you’ll want to submit your business profile, or resume, to SAM. As you register for SAM
you’ll have an opportunity to fill out a small business profile. If you do, the
information will automatically be uploaded to the DSBS.
These two tools allow government agencies to find and identify businesses that
can meet their contracting needs. These two databases are essential for
government contracting.

FedBizOpps

Any business that the federal government is currently
engaging in through government contracts is listed at FedBizOpps. FedBizOpps stands for Federal Business
Opportunities. The cool thing about this site is that government agencies are
required to update their information on procurement opportunities and vendor
requirements. Federal agencies are also required to provide a list of potential
vendors so that you can know who your competition is. Be aware: all contracts
listed here are over $25,000.

Federal Procurement
Data System

This is a database that holds all federal government contract data for any contract about $25,000
(which is most of them). That means you can use this repository to do some
market research. You can see which government agencies have hired which
businesses historically. That way you can market your business for government
agencies that are more likely to hire your business. For information
technology, though, almost any government agency will do. It’s one of the
fastest growing markets in government contracting.

Online Bid
Notification Service

All of the above tools are almost universally used by most
businesses when they get started government contracting. Not many sign up for a
bid notification service like this one.
This service will allow you to have electronic bid notifications and access
online eProcurement solutions. It allows
vendors to connect with government agencies quickly and efficiently. All the
procurement information and processes that your business goes through can be
managed through the service. You’ll be able to receive a larger number of bids
than your competitor, thus enabling your company to win more bids.